Today in Labor History – March 15th

Ben Fletcher

Ben Fletcher, African-American IWW organizer, was born on this date. Fletcher organized longshoremen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. – 1877

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades was founded on this date. Today they represent more than 140,000 members in the construction industry, such as Painters, Drywall Finishers, Glaziers, Floor Coverers, and Sign and Display workers. – 1887

Todays Labor History includes: African-American IWW organizer Ben Fletcher was born, the Supreme Court approved the 8-Hour Act, Scandal at Union Labor Life Insurance and moreCLICK TO TWEET

The Supreme Court approved the 8-Hour Act under threat of a national railway strike. – 1917

Bituminous coal miners began a nationwide strike, demanding adoption of a pension plan. – 1948

The Wall Street Journal began a series alleging insider stock deals at the union-owned Union Labor Life Insurance Co. (ULLICO). After three years a settlement was reached with Robert Georgine, a building trades leader serving as ULLICO president and CEO, requiring him to repay about $2.6 million in profits from the sale of ULLICO stock, forfeit $10 million in compensation and make other payments worth about $4.4 million. All but 2 of the company’s directors were said to have profited from the deals. – 2002

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